Vadivelu, the actor, comedian and playback singer who predominantly works in Tamil cinema, has tested positive for Covid-19. He is currently undergoing treatment at Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre in Chennai.
According to a hospital source, who did not wish to be named, the actor was admitted to the facility on Thursday after his test results came back positive. “His health is being observed and he is doing quite okay now,” the source added.
As per a DT Next report, Vadivelu had recently returned to Chennai from London, where he was with the team of his upcoming film, Naai Sekar Returns. The team had gone to London to work on the film’s score.
Produced by Lyca Productions, Naai Sekar Returns is a spin-off film based on Vadivelu’s eponymous character from filmmaker Suraj’s Thalai Nagaram (2006). Suraj is also directing Naai Sekar Returns.
The upcoming film will mark Vadivelu’s comeback after more than four years. Last seen in Mersal (2017) alongside Vijay, Vadivelu was banned from working in the Tamil film industry in 2018 after he allegedly refused to cooperate with the makers of Imsai Arasan 24am Pulikesi, the sequel to his hit 2006 historical comedy film Imsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi.
While Vadivelu cited creative differences, the film’s producer Shankar and director Chimbu Deven took the issue to the Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC). The comedian failed to respond to a call for mediation and was given an ultimatum to either resume shooting or pay Rs 9 crore as a relief. When he refused to do this as well, the TFPC issued a ban on casting him in Tamil films.
However, in August this year, TFPC announced that the issues between the actor and the makers of Imsai Arasan 24am Pulikesi were amicably resolved.
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Earlier this month, a source confirmed to Silverscreen India that Vadivelu will star in director Mari Selvaraj’s upcoming film alongside actor-politician Udhayanidhi Stalin and Malayalam actor Fahadh Faasil. While the source added that the film is expected to be produced by Udhayanidhi’s home banner Red Giant Movies, the makers are yet to make an official announcement.